Well, I have signed up for a mid-April ASA 101, 103, 104 combined course (6 days at sea - anchor out every night)
I had already taken ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat Sailing) - but it was on the Chesapeake and although we had a day of 20+ winds with gusts to 33 knots the seas were under 4 feet and my goal is to sail in more southern waters.
I was all set to just go and buy the cruising boat I want. But after reading so many posts here as well as feedback from my spouse, it seemed that most say 'sail on as many boats as you can, and charter some, before you pick the one you want to buy' to get more experience to see what you like and not just be an armchair researcher. Good advice?
I may still wind up buying the boat I want (Intracoastal East Coast, cross Gulf to Bahamas and south to Caribbean and/or Gulf across to Yucatan), but I figure more training cant hurt and it will also enable me to charter one or two boat types that i may want to buy...such as in a monohull an Island Packet 27 or 29/31 (affordable) or a used Gemini cat (less affordable)-
Now, some are telling me to get a much bigger boat in order to make it comfy for my spouse (actually Bruce Van Sant told my spouse would not want to liveaboard anything less than 40+) but the bigger boats have such a higher expense and plus I would like the idea to be able to single hand it sometimes. Sorry to keep rambling on......
So, I am excited about my upcoming sailing lessons and experience and Blue Water School of Sailing which I know will move me forward in my sailing/cruising dreams and goals!
Thanks for reading- any comments really welcome

Chesapeake Bay area

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